Things to do in Colombo

13 activities, venues and outings in Colombo, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Attidiya Bird Sanctuary
A beautiful marshland, rich with natural biodiversity and a resting place for many types of birds. The vegetation is dominated by sedge and grasses including Rhyuchospora rubra and Panicum repens. Around 43 species of waterfowl live in the area. Most common among them are Indian Shag (Phalaerocorox fuscicollis), and the Blue breasted Banded Rail (Rallus striatus). If you are an enthusiastic bird watcher or an eco friend, then it is worthwhile to spend sometimes in the Attidiya bird sanctuary.
Do
Colombo Racecourse
In 2012 it was redeveloped as the Colombo Racecourse Sports Complex to become the first International rugby union ground in Sri Lanka to host all the national rugby union side's home matches.
Do
Colombo Zoological Gardens
Dehiwala Zoological Garden
Colombo's zoo has a wide variety of animals, birds, and reptiles from all over the world. See lion show, every day 4-4:15PM; elephant show, every day 4:30-4:55PM.
Daily 8:30AM-4PMFor overseas visitors: adult Rs 2000, child Rs 1000, video cameras Rs 500. Other fees: elephant ride, adult Rs 200, child Rs 100; pony ride for children under 12 Rs 25
Do
Galle Face Green Promenade
Visit at sundown for a spectacular view. The ½-km-long promenade stretches between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean; it tends to attract children, teenagers, vendors, lovers, kite flyers, merrymakers, and families. Usually on Saturday and Sunday evenings, the land is filled with day-trippers, food vendors, and people picnicking which make it very crowded. It is also the largest open space in the city.
Free
Do
Gordon Gardens
About 16,000 m². The gardens have an amazing variety of trees.
Do
Sri Lanka Planetarium
Established in 1965. English shows on the last Saturday of the month at 2PM.
Do
Viharamahadevi Park
formerly Victoria Park
It is the largest, oldest and most colourful park situated in the heart of Colombo, just opposite the colonial style Town Hall building.
Do
Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club Grounds
Malalasekara Mawatha, Colombo 07
Do
Colombo Cricket Club Ground (CCCG)
Maitland Crescent
Do
Nelum Pokuna Theatre
Performing arts theatre.
Do
Royal College Sports Complex
10, Sri Lanka Foundation Mawatha, Off Independence Avenue, Colombo 07
Do
Royal Colombo Golf Club
223, Model Farm Road, Colombo 08
Do
Sugathadasa Stadium
Arthur de Silva Mawatha or Prince of Wales Ave, Colombo 14

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Colombo (CC BY-SA 4.0).